Republic of Ireland boss Carla Ward said she is "obsessed" with leading her side to World Cup qualification and once again reiterated her commitment to the job.

Ward has been linked with a return to her former club Aston Villa after Natalia Arroyo was sacked last month.

Brian Sorensen, the club's technical adviser, who was set to assist Ward for this play-off window, has been placed in interim charge and was unable to fulfil his Irish duties, with former Everton assistant coach Stephen Neligan stepping up instead.

Ward enjoyed a three-year stint in charge of Villa, but insists her full focus is on the Republic of Ireland's play-off semi-final against Kazakhstan on Friday (12:00 BST).

"I think it's always nice when you see your name batted about with top jobs and it shows maybe the work that we are doing," Ward told RTE.

"But it doesn't faze me. My concern right now is four games. I'm obsessed with getting to a World Cup, obsessed with the next four games.

"Nothing can take my focus away from that because that is what I came here to do."

The Irish are without suspended duo Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva while Denise O'Sullivan has been rested for the first game.

Jess Ziu has also been ruled out of the game in Astana after sustaining a shin injury.

Should the Republic of Ireland progress past Kazakhstan, they will face Poland or Belgium in the play-off final as they look to reach back-to-back World Cups.

Ward's contract as Republic of Ireland boss expires at the end of the World Cup campaign.

While Republic of Ireland's men's boss Heimir Hallgrimsson received a new deal before they lost their World Cup play-off against Czech Republic, Ward has not held talks about a similar extension prior to this window.

She said it was "not of my concern" when asked about whether she wished to have her future sorted before these games.

"My concern is four games, four games that we want to win, four games that I am literally obsessed with in terms of what we do, how we do it and trying to get there," she added.

"And you know what? When those four games are over, I'm sure we'll have...ask me then.

"I can't comment on that (Hallgrimsson's extension). I can't comment on the timing. I can't comment on those decisions. All I can say is my focus is firmly on the next four games."